Hey guys, looks like you guysgot most of the story. I actually broke 2 idler pulleys, Weistec is making new billet ones this week. The onboard pass was not a clean pass, I was manually shifting the car which caused me to hit the rev limiter on the 1 to 2 shift and then shifted early on another shoft and that pass my 60 foot sucked, it was a 1.89.

I really want to thank Mike and Steve fron Weistec who spent their entire day at the track with me as my personal pit crew, it was much appreciated. They are a class act operation, first class all the way.

On a happier note there was one record thst was set on Friday, Rick (MBW Rarfinancial) set a new CLS63 record running several back to back to back 11.5's on about a 110 shot of nitrous.

Thanks to everyone that came out and thanks to those of you that pitched in on the rental and ran your cars.

Hey guys, looks like you guysgot most of the story. I actually broke 2 idler pulleys, Weistec is making new billet ones this week. The onboard pass was not a clean pass, I was manually shifting the car which caused me to hit the rev limiter on the 1 to 2 shift and then shifted early on another shoft and that pass my 60 foot sucked, it was a 1.89.

I really want to thank Mike and Steve fron Weistec who spent their entire day at the track with me as my personal pit crew, it was much appreciated. They are a class act operation, first class all the way.

On a happier note there was one record thst was set on Friday, Rick (MBW Rarfinancial) set a new CLS63 record running several back to back to back 11.5's on about a 110 shot of nitrous.

Thanks to everyone that came out and thanks to those of you that pitched in on the rental and ran your cars.

So I take it torque limiters in the transmission are preventing shifts in auto mode? But if you shift manually it is all good?

Then next steps then would be the billet pulleys and transmission tweaking?

The highlight of the day....needless to saythe rumors about Fontana having a tough tech inspection are not true, no tech inspection whatsoever.

Actually, they are not rumors.... this actually happened more than once. During our last two consecutive private rentals, they kicked out a couple of people for the dumbest things ever:

1) First time they kicked out a guy because he did not have a "fire blanket" or cover over his aftermarket supercharger. They said anytime there is an aftermarket supercharger they needed some type of cover.

2) Second time they kicked out a guy running 11.40s because his roll bar, according to them, was "too weak". And no matter what the guy did to explain to them that it was up to spec, they refused to let him run.

Now I have to say that our past Fontana private rentals were usually bigger than any of our other private rentals. Fontana rentals used to be around 100 to 130 cars while almost all of our other private rentals were around 40 to 50 cars. So I'm guessing they didn't stress you guys out over tech inspection because you were only 4 to 5 cars (very small rental)

Actually, they are not rumors.... this actually happened more than once. During our last two consecutive private rentals, they kicked out a couple of people for the dumbest things ever:

1) First time they kicked out a guy because he did not have a "fire blanket" or cover over his aftermarket supercharger. They said anytime there is an aftermarket supercharger they needed some type of cover.

2) Second time they kicked out a guy running 11.40s because his roll bar, according to them, was "too weak". And no matter what the guy did to explain to them that it was up to spec, they refused to let him run.

Now I have to say that the Fontana private rentals were usually bigger than our other private rentals. Fontana rentals used to be around 100 to 130 cars while almost all other private rentals I hosted were around 40 to 50 cars. So I'm guessing they didn't stress out too much over tech inspection because there were only 4 to 5 cars

I got kicked out of Fontana for trying to run an M5 that was a few cars ahead of me. Almost ended up getting in a fight with one of the employees. So ridiculous we couldn't even choose to run who we wanted to run. I'm done with Fontana, the place is slow as hell anyway.

I got kicked out of Fontana for trying to run an M5 that was a few cars ahead of me. Almost ended up getting in a fight with one of the employees. So ridiculous we couldn't even choose to run who we wanted to run. I'm done with Fontana, the place is slow as hell anyway.

I know.... and that was not even their worst kick out one.... they once warned a guy for doing "too long" of a burn out

Why haven't we tried to organize a group to open our own track yet....

I think one of the problems we face here in California is location. We need a good location in terms of DA but also a location that is close enough for North and South Cal people to travel to. This leaves us with somewhere in the center of California. I think the lowest place near the center California is right after you come down the grapevine when heading North... that location is at 250 ft physical elevation. The only problem is that it is about 40 miles away from Famoso (which is at 600 ft elevation).

I think one of the problems we face here in California is location. We need a good location in terms of DA but also a location that is close enough for North and South Cal people to travel to. This leaves us with somewhere in the center of California. I think the lowest place near the center California is right after you come down the grapevine when heading North... that location is at 250 ft physical elevation. The only problem is that it is about 40 miles away from Famoso (which is at 600 ft elevation).

I think trying to cater to Northern California creates an unnecessary problem. We should simply focus on what is best for Southern California as California is simply too big.

Yes, I'm saying forget the NorCal guys. Not because I have no heart but because the priority should be the best location for DA. That means, it will have to be as you stated.

I think you misunderstood my post. If you are looking purely for best DA and weather conditions, then best locations are either at the very North of California (zero elevation) or at the very South of California (also zero elevation). But if you wanted a compromise, then central California (near the grapevine) would be the best location (250 ft elevation).

Let's get this going. I'd be able to invest a little as maybe you and others would. Why not? We both know they need the competition and that a track is desperately needed.

I'd be willing to invest a little as well. And I've learned that once you have a track with good weather conditions and good friendly atmosphere, people WILL travel long distances to run there

I think you misunderstood my post. If you are looking purely for best DA and weather conditions, then best locations are either at the very North of California (zero elevation) or at the very South of California (also zero elevation). But if you wanted a compromise, then central California (near the grapevine) would be the best location (250 ft elevation).

I understand your point, I think the priority should be around Carlsbad for being close to sea level. The grapevine area already has Famoso.

Originally Posted by Exeenom

I'd be willing to invest a little as well. And I've learned that once you have a track with good weather conditions and good friendly atmosphere, people WILL travel long distances to run there

EXACTLY. I mean, I travel to Sac for the track so the main goal is a FAST track. The problem will be location and funding. No reason we can't get the ball rolling.

Actually, they are not rumors.... this actually happened more than once. During our last two consecutive private rentals, they kicked out a couple of people for the dumbest things ever:

1) First time they kicked out a guy because he did not have a "fire blanket" or cover over his aftermarket supercharger. They said anytime there is an aftermarket supercharger they needed some type of cover.

2) Second time they kicked out a guy running 11.40s because his roll bar, according to them, was "too weak". And no matter what the guy did to explain to them that it was up to spec, they refused to let him run.

Now I have to say that the Fontana private rentals were usually bigger than our other private rentals. Fontana rentals used to be around 100 to 130 cars while almost all other private rentals I hosted were around 40 to 50 cars. So I'm guessing they didn't stress out too much over tech inspection because there were only 4 to 5 cars

Wow, I believe what you are saying but after my rental last week I just can't believe it. They were so lax that I never signed a contract or paid for the event until 2:30 pm 30 minutes before the rental ended. I showed up at the track and asked for Mark the drag strip manager and they said " he had to run to Pasedena he will be back early this afternoon" I said I have not paid for the rental yet and they said "he told us to let you run and we can settle up later". There was no tech inspection and when Ricks daughter started making nitrous passes and purging the system in the water box they asked if she had on an SFI jacket, so sombody handed her a wind breaker and they never even checked to see if it was an approved jacket LOL. I made two passes with the tundra and trailer with 5 guys in the Tundra, Luke was making passes in his Range Rover and somebody was making passes in their Chevy Silverado. Maybe the fact that the cars on the track averaged over $100k in price had something to do with it, I think the least expensive car out there was a C63 and the most expensive F430 had something to do with their lack of tech inspection. The guy in the Ferrari was basically drifting his car in the turn off at the end of the track and track officials were laughing about it. They were so cool that when I finally sat down with Mark the track manager at the end of the day and commented on how cool they were and said we were worried about getting kicked off he knew I was from Chicago and asked if I run at Route 66 (which I do), I said ya, but I always get kicked off, he said not any more you are you going to get kicked out, he said that is their sister track and gave me the name of who to call at Routee 66 before I head out there again, he said call them, tell them you are heading out and to call Mark (at Famoso) and I will never get kicked off ever again, even if I run 9s. Coolest guy I have ever met at a track.

Wow, I believe what you are saying but after my rental last week I just can't believe it. They were so lax that I never signed a contract or paid for the event until 2:30 pm 30 minutes before the rental ended. I showed up at the track and asked for Mark the drag strip manager and they said " he had to run to Pasedena he will be back early this afternoon" I said I have not paid for the rental yet and they said "he told us to let you run and we can settle up later". There was no tech inspection and when Ricks daughter started making nitrous passes and purging the system in the water box they asked if she had on an SFI jacket, so sombody handed her a wind breaker and they never even checked to see if it was an approved jacket LOL. I made two passes with the tundra and trailer with 5 guys in the Tundra, Luke was making passes in his Range Rover and somebody was making passes in their Chevy Silverado. Maybe the fact that the cars on the track averaged over $100k in price had something to do with it, I think the least expensive car out there was a C63 and the most expensive F430 had something to do with their lack of tech inspection. The guy in the Ferrari was basically drifting his car in the turn off at the end of the track and track officials were laughing about it. They were so cool that when I finally sat down with Mark the track manager at the end of the day and commented on how cool they were and said we were worried about getting kicked off he knew I was from Chicago and asked if I run at Route 66 (which I do), I said ya, but I always get kicked off, he said not any more you are you going to get kicked out, he said that is their sister track and gave me the name of who to call at Routee 66 before I head out there again, he said call them, tell them you are heading out and to call Mark (at Famoso) and I will never get kicked off ever again, even if I run 9s. Coolest guy I have ever met at a track.

Another thing I liked about Fontana was how close it was to town, within 1 mile of the track was an Auto Zone store a Carls JR, a Jack in the Box, 2 gas stations and other retail shopping. When I shredded my first belt we had a replacement back at the track in 20 minutes. I am actually talking to track management to try to organize a 4 hour drag strip rental and a 4 hour road course rental on the same day, that would be amazing, would any of you be interested in something like that?

Another thing I liked about Fontana was how close it was to town, within 1 mile of the track was an Auto Zone store a Carls JR, a Jack in the Box, 2 gas stations and other retail shopping. When I shredded my first belt we had a replacement back at the track in 20 minutes. I am actually talking to track management to try to organize a 4 hour drag strip rental and a 4 hour road course rental on the same day, that would be amazing, would any of you be interested in something like that?

I am actually talking to track management to try to organize a 4 hour drag strip rental and a 4 hour road course rental on the same day, that would be amazing, would any of you be interested in something like that?

Possibly, depending on cost and when. The road course is fun but the strip just doesn't produce good numbers.

Wow, I believe what you are saying but after my rental last week I just can't believe it. They were so lax that I never signed a contract or paid for the event until 2:30 pm 30 minutes before the rental ended. I showed up at the track and asked for Mark the drag strip manager and they said " he had to run to Pasedena he will be back early this afternoon" I said I have not paid for the rental yet and they said "he told us to let you run and we can settle up later". There was no tech inspection and when Ricks daughter started making nitrous passes and purging the system in the water box they asked if she had on an SFI jacket, so sombody handed her a wind breaker and they never even checked to see if it was an approved jacket LOL. I made two passes with the tundra and trailer with 5 guys in the Tundra, Luke was making passes in his Range Rover and somebody was making passes in their Chevy Silverado. Maybe the fact that the cars on the track averaged over $100k in price had something to do with it, I think the least expensive car out there was a C63 and the most expensive F430 had something to do with their lack of tech inspection. The guy in the Ferrari was basically drifting his car in the turn off at the end of the track and track officials were laughing about it. They were so cool that when I finally sat down with Mark the track manager at the end of the day and commented on how cool they were and said we were worried about getting kicked off he knew I was from Chicago and asked if I run at Route 66 (which I do), I said ya, but I always get kicked off, he said not any more you are you going to get kicked out, he said that is their sister track and gave me the name of who to call at Routee 66 before I head out there again, he said call them, tell them you are heading out and to call Mark (at Famoso) and I will never get kicked off ever again, even if I run 9s. Coolest guy I have ever met at a track.

Look....the guys don't work out there because they don't like cars. Showing up with some cool hardware helps...but it can also hurt if you act like a stuck up douchebag and all they see is some rich prick with a bad attitude. We treated them well, acted cool and they responded in kind. I can only assume that some of these stories of guys getting kicked out are a direct result of their attitude. Plus, they realized this wasn't our first rodeo...
Jim, let me know about that drag/road course rental. I'd be down for that.
Regarding the F430...
Here's a video my buddy edited together. Watch the last few seconds after the turn off and you can see him getting it pretty sideways. And, yeah, the guys at the track loved it and I think they respected the fact that we actually used our sh!ts instead of polishing it with a diaper in the garage.

Look....the guys don't work out there because they don't like cars. Showing up with some cool hardware helps...but it can also hurt if you act like a stuck up douchebag and all they see is some rich prick with a bad attitude. We treated them well, acted cool and they responded in kind. I can only assume that some of these stories of guys getting kicked out are a direct result of their attitude. Plus, they realized this wasn't our first rodeo...
Jim, let me know about that drag/road course rental. I'd be down for that.
Regarding the F430...
Here's a video my buddy edited together. Watch the last few seconds after the turn off and you can see him getting it pretty sideways. And, yeah, the guys at the track loved it and I think they respected the fact that we actually used our sh!ts instead of polishing it with a diaper in the garage.